Martial Arts and Christianity??

[phkrause]

*general post*

There is a difference between knowing martial arts and being a martial artist. My husband is a brown belt in Kenpo, he spars with us, I'm glad he taught our son a few good moves. For those that don't know, my son was attacked while at a convenience store, he was able to defend himself successfully.

It's easy to sit in judgement of others and say what "you" would have done or what the other person should have done. However, unless you yourself are in that exact same position, you really don't know how you will react.

[cardw]

Quote:

Only a fool calls fear wisdom.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever."Psalm 111:10 NASB

There is some discussion about the word "fear" and it properly denoting respect and/or reverence. OTOH I believe the distinction might be best made by whose side one wishes to be on.

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

I can agree with that. I have no respect for the god of the bible.

There are many that have the same opinion. Even when He was on this earth giving His life's blood so they could experience more than the ridicule and hatred that surrounded them. If I were to believe in the cliche of the world, instead of the mercy of Christ, this would be the best I could offer. "He who laughs last, laughs best."

OTOH, Jesus is more of a Gentleman than I, and it is for those still in the midst of ignorance, and basing their decisions on that ignorance His promise remains true.

"For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."James 2:13 NKJV

In the end it remains up to us which side we will be on when we give homage....

"For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”"Romans 14:13 NKJV

"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NASB

God blesses!

[cardw]

Quote:

Perfect love casts out all "respect" 1 John 4:18

I can agree with that. I have no respect for the god of the bible.

There are many that have the same opinion. Even when He was on this earth giving His life's blood so they could experience more than the ridicule and hatred that surrounded them. If I were to believe in the cliche of the world, instead of the mercy of Christ, this would be the best I could offer. "He who laughs last, laughs best."

I don't hate anyone so you can drop all the drama. Don't get so bent out of shape. You confuse disagreement with persecution.

All of this posting is about ego. There is nothing spiritual here. I'm including myself in this.

All this fake quoting the Bible like you actually care about some higher purpose. I like the little dig about laughing last. That's clever. I like the Christ like love portrayed here because in your myth the time for laughing last is when I would be burning in the lake of fire. All that forced rejoicing always seemed a little creepy. Now I know why.

Being fake should be mocked. Solomon was right when he said that all is vanity. Once I recognized that I stopped taking myself so seriously. We are simply playing a game that should be laughed at because it's all about ego.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

I like the Christ like love portrayed here because in your myth the time for laughing last is when I would be burning in the lake of fire. All that forced rejoicing always seemed a little creepy.

That's the sadness of your position. The heart knit to Christ does not laugh last. Those consumed when Christ returns do not elicit laughing, rather tears of unutterable anguish in the heart of God. The laughing comes from Satan, the prince of darkness, for the ones that are lost are a result of his deceptions. And the tears are from the host of heaven, and the Creator of mankind Who made every person in the world to share a blissful eternity with Him according to the terms He knows, will alone, bring everlasting peace.

The heart that does/will not let Jesus in has a hardness born of darkness.

"“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."Revelation 3:20 NLT

"And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."

John 3:19 NLT

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17 NKJV

God blesses!

[cardw]

Quote:

I like the Christ like love portrayed here because in your myth the time for laughing last is when I would be burning in the lake of fire. All that forced rejoicing always seemed a little creepy.

That's the sadness of your position. The heart knit to Christ does not laugh last. Those consumed when Christ returns do not elicit laughing, rather tears of unutterable anguish in the heart of God. The laughing comes from Satan, the prince of darkness, for the ones that are lost are a result of his deceptions. And the tears are from the host of heaven, and the Creator of mankind Who made every person in the world to share a blissful eternity with Him according to the terms He knows, will alone, bring everlasting peace.

[skyblue888]

Card, If Christ has been received by the Jewish leaders, would He have been crucified? Did God require that He be crucified? I don't think so. It was the sins of the world upon Him that killed Him, not the instrument of torture.

sky

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

You might want to read your own authority on this. Here's what Ellen White has to say...

Quote:

Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his presence and temptations. “The whole earth is at rest and quiet: they [the righteous] break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7. And a shout of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal universe. “The voice of a great multitude,” “as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of mighty thunderings,” is heard, saying: “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” Revelation 19:6.

The Great Controversy, p. 662-673

No hint of crying here.

For those who submit,

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."James 4:7 NASB

Submission is a daily practice of mine and with that I am confident Jesus will fulfill His promise to me and all else who pursue the same plan.

"...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."Phil 2:13 NKJV

It is evidenced from the results that exist in this world that not all have found the joy of those promises. A couple of evidences that almost always exists in those who don't wish to trust themselves to a single Creator God, accepting Him as Love, is the desire to ridicule to a lesser or greater degree, anyone who gives witness to his/her relationship with Jesus. Another evidence is seeing this world as the highest reality of success, a condition of belief that removes one from responsibility to a Higher power, and can often lead to the desire to destroy those who cling to that kingdom.

There are too many examples of that to number them but a history of that fact can be clearly seen in the assaults against the Jewish nation.

"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews."

John 4:22 NLT

"And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."Galatians 3:28 NKJV

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

According to you, this laughing comes form the "prince of darkness" himself

True! It's a journey any are invited to take. Be patient. God isn't finished with me yet.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Philippians 1:6 NLT

The promise is for any who wish to accept the One Who gives it.

God blesses!

[cardw]

Quote:

According to you, this laughing comes form the "prince of darkness" himself

True! It's a journey any are invited to take. Be patient. God isn't finished with me yet.

God blesses!

Then why should I listen to anything you have to say since you claim to be following the "prince of darkness?"

I'll listen to you when the work of god is finished. Otherwise I don't really know who you are speaking for. And now I don't know when you are lying or telling the truth.

[cardw]

Quote:

You might want to read your own authority on this. Here's what Ellen White has to say...

Quote:

Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his presence and temptations. “The whole earth is at rest and quiet: they [the righteous] break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7. And a shout of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal universe. “The voice of a great multitude,” “as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of mighty thunderings,” is heard, saying: “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” Revelation 19:6.

The Great Controversy, p. 662-673

No hint of crying here.

It is evidenced from the results that exist in this world that not all have found the joy of those promises. A couple of evidences that almost always exists in those who don't wish to trust themselves to a single Creator God, accepting Him as Love, is the desire to ridicule to a lesser or greater degree, anyone who gives witness to his/her relationship with Jesus. Another evidence is seeing this world as the highest reality of success, a condition of belief that removes one from responsibility to a Higher power, and can often lead to the desire to destroy those who cling to that kingdom.

I guess you don't want to address this nonsense that god and the saved are crying over the death of the wicked. I read that they are "singing" and giving "a shout of triumph."

Do you see any crying there?

This idea that I'm trying to destroy you is coming from a false sense of importance. You are clearly exaggerating here.

You think persecution is when you speak like a jerk and people react. Disagreement is not persecution. If it was then you would be persecuting me.

[cardw]

Card, If Christ has been received by the Jewish leaders, would He have been crucified? Did God require that He be crucified? I don't think so. It was the sins of the world upon Him that killed Him, not the instrument of torture.

sky

I'm not sure what you are responding to here. ???

[skyblue888]

Did you not write these words to ClubV12:

"You believe in a god who needs to have his son die a horrible tortuous death..."

I don't understand that this is what God wished for His Son. If Christ had been received by the Jewish leaders He would not have died a horrible death like being crucified on a pole but He still would have died crushed under the weight of the sins of the world.

sky

[jasd]

QR frame:

Breaking boards with one's bare hands, eh? Shucks, all chopsticks and wet noodles. Howsabout: casting mountains into way yonder sea with a spoken word?

Now, THAT!--must take some kind of meditatin'! Like, way beyond me, I fears - but I can break chopsticks easy - no problemo.

Need only 'bout 10 minutes preparin' my mind... (kung foo yong secret)

[cardw]

Did you not write these words to ClubV12:

"You believe in a god who needs to have his son die a horrible tortuous death..."

I don't understand that this is what God wished for His Son. If Christ had been received by the Jewish leaders He would not have died a horrible death like being crucified on a pole but He still would have died crushed under the weight of the sins of the world.

sky

I did, but that was over 5 months ago. But, I'll respond.

What you present here is sin being more powerful than god. Remember god is all powerful in your myth. An all powerful god makes the rules. If he can't bypass his own rules then the rules are more powerful than god.

If he chooses not to bypass his rules and allows his son to die a horrible death then within most justice systems he is committing a sin of omission. This is the same as killing him. These concepts are really based on primitive iron age justice systems. To me it's crystal clear that they are made up.

The reason this becomes nonsensical pretty fast is because it's a patch of the pagan system it's based on. Christianity is nothing more than a syncretic evolution of paganism. The more it is patched to adapt it to modern culture, the more absurd it becomes.

[Guest]

This probably makes perfect sense to you cardo. Shouldn't you be sharing it with some "on the fence" atheist who is in danger of going over to Christianity? I know there are plenty of Atheist forums out there.

[cardw]

This probably makes perfect sense to you cardo. Shouldn't you be sharing it with some "on the fence" atheist who is in danger of going over to Christianity? I know there are plenty of Atheist forums out there.

I wasn't the one to re-activate a 5 month old thread, but I think you're right.

bye...

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: RLH

This probably makes perfect sense to you cardo. Shouldn't you be sharing it with some "on the fence" atheist who is in danger of going over to Christianity? I know there are plenty of Atheist forums out there.

I wasn't the one to re-activate a 5 month old thread, but I think you're right.

bye...

I see. Just trying to be helpful. :)

[M. T. Cross]

This probably makes perfect sense to you cardo. Shouldn't you be sharing it with some "on the fence" atheist who is in danger of going over to Christianity? I know there are plenty of Atheist forums out there.

I have read and re-read this post a number of times this morning. It is by far not the worst thing I have ever read here at C/A but its certainly in the top 10 for really bothering me....

See to me, a forum is a place where people exchange views. Some views agree, some views do not. Sometimes they are somewhat on the same page and sometimes they are total opposites. That is the joy of a discussion forum. As far as I can see its pretty much the whole point. So it bothers me when someone is told to just go away. Now one can say that those exact words are not in the above quoted post, and they would be right. But it is the theme and very strong suggestion of it.

What would be the best solution? Would it be best if only those that agree with a certain take on the SDA religion could post here? You could all sit around and pat each other on the back and feel righteous and holy and look down on those that do not believe exactly like you. Where would your growth be then?

Having someone challenge a belief system ( be it yours, mine, or the other guys) is important because of the three possible results.

One result is that you can answer each of their questions, though sometimes you might have to dig deep to find those answers. By this you grow and you learn. You may find that you don't know as much as you thought you knew, and you can develop in an area that you did not even know you needed to grow in.

The second possible result is that you may help that person find a new truth. You may help them grow and find a better spiritual awareness.

The third possible result is that you realize that what you believe has very little to stand on, that maybe you have been fooling yourself in what you believe and you realize you need to move on in your life. This is growth as well.

I think the other thing that bothers me about this post is that coming from a member of a religion that is so all about spreading its message and bringing people to its god - the post in question suggested that the other poster go and tell someone sitting on the fence not to come to the Christian side. It did that all the while having a "we (the christians) are right and everyone else is wrong" attitude. In essence it suggested that Cardw should go tell someone something that is believed by the poster to be a lie, a mistruth, and the damnation of anothers soul. While I don't share that belief it makes me a bit sick that someone that does hold that belief would do something like that. Another fine example of why many people have left the Christian belief system and/or never come to it in the first place.

[Guest]

I think you may be taking it, and yourself, a bit too seriously, since you don't know the history.

Or because you don't know the history, I should say.

[GoLions]

Originally Posted By: RLH

This probably makes perfect sense to you cardo. Shouldn't you be sharing it with some "on the fence" atheist who is in danger of going over to Christianity? I know there are plenty of Atheist forums out there.

See to me, a forum is a place where people exchange views. Some views agree, some views do not. Sometimes they are somewhat on the same page and sometimes they are total opposites. That is the joy of a discussion forum. As far as I can see its pretty much the whole point. So it bothers me when someone is told to just go away.

What would be the best solution? Would it be best if only those that agree with a certain take on the SDA religion could post here? You could all sit around and pat each other on the back and feel righteous and holy and look down on those that do not believe exactly like you. Where would your growth be then?

Having someone challenge a belief system ( be it yours, mine, or the other guys) is important because of the three possible results.

I think the other thing that bothers me about this post is that coming from a member of a religion that is so all about spreading its message and bringing people to its god - the post in question suggested that the other poster go and tell someone sitting on the fence not to come to the Christian side. It did that all the while having a "we (the christians) are right and everyone else is wrong" attitude. In essence it suggested that Cardw should go tell someone something that is believed by the poster to be a lie, a mistruth, and the damnation of anothers soul. While I don't share that belief it makes me a bit sick that someone that does hold that belief would do something like that. Another fine example of why many people have left the Christian belief system and/or never come to it in the first place.

You said a lot in this post. You said that a forum is where people exchange views. This is true, but at the top of this web site is a quote from Romans 14:1.

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.

And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with

– even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department.

Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

Notice the fifth and sixth words, "FELLOW BELIEVERS". What this tells me is that there are certain qualifications to post your ideas on this forum. I belong to other forums that have much more restrictive requirements than this one does, all in order to maintain a sense of civility. Once you step out of those bounds, you are banned for a period of time. CARDW, states he is not a believer. In fact he is quite boastful about it, and no apologies for it. To each his own, that is his right, but it is outside the lines in my opinion.

You next state that if only SDA could post here, that we would all sit around and pat ourselves on the back...

Really??? are you new here? Are you new to forums in general? There is plenty to 'discuss' within the ranks of the SDA Church. I would be shocked to even see that attitude in a Sabbath School class. We cant even agree on what the color of the carpet should be in Church. LOL.

As for the three possible results, your missing the famous 'troll' option. That would be the "I don't care about anything but upsetting the apple cart" motive. That motive is not about giving you a hard time so as to improve your apple cart, but just to cause havoc. A cyber bully if you will. There really is no use in throwing the Gospel out to someone who will only trample on it.

Also, David did not sit by idle, when Goliath was insulting the God of Heaven, and he didn't just tell the giant to go away as nicely as RLH did.

[Tom Wetmore]

[Tom Wetmore]

I think you may be taking it, and yourself, a bit too seriously, since you don't know the history.

Or because you don't know the history, I should say.

Few readers know whatever "history" you speak of. And without the "benefit" of whatever is percolating in your mind on that, it is no surprise that anyone would understand what you posted as being precisely as EC did.

EC is quite right in his observation. It might be well to take him seriously rather than blowing him off too.

[LifeHiscost]

http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/1120

Re: #582426

I see a lot of sense to chew on, both in the quotes presented and the reaction to those quotes. I'm satisfied that Stan has provided the venue for a good mix of fellow believers and the outright disdainful. I'm satisfied that those who depend on the Superior Power given to believers while exercising His counsels, will be able to discern between the chaff and the wheat, while the seeker and the outright hostile to the Truth as it is revealed in Jesus Christ, will receive the just dues of their respective god/God.

All have a god/God they serve whether they're willing to admit it or not. The smallest god one can serve is the god of self, and even if their arrogance of self congratulations finds satisfaction in seeing others humbled as a result of their own superior intelligence, in the final reward it will be seen clearly Who is Master of each individual victor.

"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. "

John 10:16 NKJV

There is a caution worth heeding for even those who are confident they are where God wants them to be, especially in the days we are living.

"For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities"Rev 18:3-5 NKJV

BTW, the URL this post was opened with gives about as much as any seeker would find satisfaction with.

God blesses!

[CoAspen]

Quote:

I'm satisfied that Stan has provided the venue for a good mix of fellow believers and the outright disdainful.

So, you only see two groups on here!!

Cardw and EC, i do not find disdainful of the Christians God, but rather how that God is portrayed by fellow believers!!! There is a difference!!!!